Concern in the US is growing at the extent of China's nuclear armoury, particularly as Chinese state media has stated weapons are being developed for use against the US, probably to strengthen its hand in nuclear proliferation talks. China has a wide range of missiles capable of being launched from land, air or submarines, and some have the capability to carry multiple nuclear warheads, capable of striking up to three US cities simultaneously.

Concern is growing at the proliferation of nuclear missiles.(Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation/ Reuters)

The US, Russia and India are believed to be developing similar missiles.

It is estimated that China only has around 250 nuclear warheads, compared with the 2,104 operational warheads operated by the US.

Major General Yao Yunzhu, China's director of the Center of America-China Defense Relations for the Academy of Military Science, said in a letter to the Pacific Forum of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, that China still lags behind the US in terms of nuclear weapons.

"The Ballistic Missile Defense systems that the US and its allies have deployed, or are planning to deploy, are capable of intercepting Chinese nuclear weapons launched for retaliation after it has already been attacked, thus potentially negating the deterrence effect of the Chinese nuclear arsenal," said Yunzhu.

Retired Peoples' Liberation Army general Xu Guangyu told the South China Morning Post: "Beijing just wants to increase China's military might and its nuclear strategic threat. It's not really targeting the US or other countries.

"China needs to conduct intensive weapons tests and military drills because the (US-led build-up) now in the Asia-Pacific area is not good for Beijing."

China's Dongfeng missile has a range of 10,000km, which means it can reach most of the northern hemisphere, and all of Asia.(Google Maps/Obeattie)